Electrolyte concentration in the hypertrophic salivary glands of incisor-amputated rats.

The effect of periodic amputations of the lower incisors of the rat on the electrolyte concentration in the major salivary glands was studied. The incisor amputations caused a hypertrophy of the parotid, submandibular and sublingual glands. The resulting increased weight of the salivary glands was due to a higher dry mass. In general, the electrolyte concentration showed higher values in the salivary gland tissues of the incisor-amputated animals. Considering the parotid, submandibular and sublingual glands respectively, the Na+ concentration was increased by 47%, 50% and 14%; and Mg2+ concentration by 377%, 126+ and 376%. Inorganic phosphorus increased 45% in the parotid, 25% in the subnamdibular and was unchanged in the sublingual gland. K+ concentration increased in the submandibular (12%) and sublingual (100%) glands but decreased in the parotid (24%). The Na+/k+ ratio was higher in the parotid (82%) and submandibular (37%) glands and lower in the sublingual gland (84%). The electrolyte concen-ration changes are discussed in relation to the mechanism and type of stimulation promoted by the incisor-amputations on the major salivary glands of the rat.